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With the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, construction leaders may be tempted to join the fray. However, if they fail to conduct sufficient due diligence, their AI investments may not deliver the results they expect.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Many companies expect AI tools to automate their most complex tasks immediately, such as cost estimating, says Eide Bailly principal and technology consultant Jon Ault. Instead, AI adoption requires meticulous planning, change management and extensive data preparation.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Before construction leaders even begin researching AI vendors, they need to develop a strategy that considers business objectives, workflows and existing technology stack. Here\u2019s where to start:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n No two construction companies are alike. Every business differs in expertise, markets, short-term goals and long-term plans. \u201cUncovering a company\u2019s unique requirements will inform the process of identifying potential software options that will serve them well,\u201d Ault says. This includes looking across the entire enterprise and asking, \u201cWhat are we trying to do?\u201d and \u201cWho do we want to become?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Leaders should also identify what they want to change about their operations and why that might require AI. With the number of construction tools available today, Nick Mortensen, Eide Bailly\u2019s principal over development and integrations, sees \u201ca lot of solutions in search of a problem, rather than the other way around.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cTechnology is an amplifier,\u201d he continues. \u201cIf you apply it to a bad process, you\u2019re going to amplify the bad effects of that process. If you apply it to a good business case or plan, then you can amplify your business.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Improvement areas may include administrative processes and understaffed or overstaffed departments. Mortensen advises soliciting input from three key stakeholder groups: boots-on-the-ground personnel who understand current workflows, managers who track performance metrics and executives. With these parties involved, companies can initiate a change management process that has buy-in from all personnel.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n A company\u2019s technology stack should be scalable, portable and interoperable. Connectivity is essential for pulling the data necessary to train AI models. However, legacy and niche software programs are notorious for siloing and restricting access to data. \u201cThe older systems that back offices often use don\u2019t have the connectivity to allow for it,\u201d Mortensen says.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Construction software often combines the capabilities of multiple-point solutions. Still, different departments within a company may use different solutions to complete similar tasks. \u201cThe number of subscriptions and software licenses that companies pay for is shockingly high,\u201d Mortensen says.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Usage and maintenance costs can quickly compound if companies merge or are acquired, with different tech stacks piling atop each other. Shadow IT staff \u2014 personnel who have an expense budget and directly download applications they prefer \u2014 only worsen the problem, Ault says.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n An IT steering committee or task force can help inventory a company\u2019s software expenses. \u201cFirst, understand what people actually use in their day-to-day work,\u201d Mortensen says. \u201cThen compare it with what your company has signed up for. You will be able to weed out underutilized and forgotten products, which will provide a starting point for evaluating what to get rid of.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n When culling tools that do not provide proportional value, construction leaders should aim for a tech stack that aligns with their business goals and affects their top or bottom line, Ault says. He also suggests checking which capabilities your software vendors already offer.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWith the state of the market, those vendors can typically help their customers get more out of their virtual design and construction staff,\u201d he says. \u201cIf you can get 10% or 20% more productivity out of every estimator or drafter now, that\u2019s a huge deal.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n For organizations without dedicated staff to monitor the ever-changing developments in AI technology, a consultant can guide them through the critical prework steps outlined above. Though the prework may seem onerous, it will help construction companies gain solid ground toward their big dreams for AI applications.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n At Eide Bailly, we believe every business has untapped potential. We don’t just help our clients work toward fulfilling a short-term goal. Our mission is to help you optimize performance, safeguard what you\u2019ve built, and plan for future growth \u2014 so your business is stronger today and even stronger tomorrow. From finance and operations to technology, we help you realize the power of your potential. And we do that by aligning our strengths with your ambitions to move you forward.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Learn more<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a> about how Eide Bailly\u2019s team of experienced professionals can help your business prepare to modernize its tech stack.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n1. Establish a firm foundation<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n
2. Conduct a needs assessment<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n
3. Evaluate current tech investments<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n
4. Determine technological debt<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n
5. Simplify your tech stack<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n
About Eide Bailly<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n